‘It’s a shame’: Troup County authorities speak on school safety amid recent threats across Georgia

TROUP COUNTY, Ga. ( WRBL ) — It’s been one week since the deadliest school shooting took place in Georgia’s history. Since the tragedy, there has been a wave of school threats across the state, even in Troup County.

On Wednesday, the Troup County School System (TCSS) held a joint news conference with local law enforcement agencies, addressing safety concerns for their schools.

CBS News reports as of September, there have been 218 school shootings so far this year across the nation – 10 of those in Georgia. The Sept. 4 shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder left four people dead and nine injured.

These [school shooting threats] are going around nationwide, unfortunately. Just to be clear, we take all of these [threats] very, very seriously. We don’t pass it off as it’s just a joke or it’s a rumor.

Lt. Stewart Smith, Troup County Sheriff’s Office

Counties across the state have recently seen an uptick in school threats, planting fear in students, faculty and parents. Four separate threats have been made in Troup County.

These threats ranged from very vague threats of school shootings to more specific threats. Each one was immediately responded to by law enforcement, investigated and three of those four were resolved within an hour. The fourth threat is still under investigation.

Dr. Rachel Hazel, Troup County Schools Superintendent

The most recent threat made on Sept. 9 came from a 15-year-old male.

According to the LaGrange Police Department, the teen took to social media, threatening to shoot up 11 schools within the (TCSS). He has since been arrested and taken to the youth detention center. He is charged with 11 counts of felony terrorist threats.

It is a shame that these things are continuing and these people are continuing to be hung up in this. I guess the kids don’t think it’s serious. I don’t know what it is. I guess they think it’s a game or it’s funny to scare somebody, but it’s very serious. And they’re going to know that when it’s time to punish them for what they’re doing.

James Woodruff, Troup County Sheriff

LaGrange Police Chief Garrett Fiveash says all of the agencies are working together to solve ongoing investigations involving threats against schools.

One of the primary leads that we got on solving one of these cases was from a kid who knew a kid who knew a kid. And we just followed the path. And again, Dr. Hazel made a very good point. It’s not a if we find out, it’s a when we find out.

Garrett Fiveash, LaGrange Police Chief

Chief Fiveash has a message for parents.

Not only talk to your kids, how about getting into your kid’s business a little bit. When they’re on their phone, take it out of their hand and take a look at what they’re looking at. Look through the history. If nothing else, if they’re looking at something they shouldn’t, maybe that’s enough of a deterrent. Missing one message or one forwarded text could be enough to make the difference in some of these cases.

Garrett Fiveash, LaGrange Police Chief

TCSS has multiple safety measures in place such as metal detectors and school resource officers (SROs).

According to TCSS Superintendent, Dr. Rachel Hazel, metal detectors are used in every secondary school for anyone entering the building, including students. Dr. Hazel says the SROs conduct routine checks to ensure all school doors are locked at all times.

There are currently vacancies for SROs in two elementary schools. Sheriff Woodruff says every school in the unincorporated portion of Troup County will have an SRO by the end of September.

Staff members also have the same technology at their fingertips that was used at Apalachee High School the day of the shooting. Each staff member has a Centegix badge, that serves as a wearable panic button.

According to the Safe Schools Act , signed into law by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, all public schools are required to submit a safety plan to the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.

These plans are submitted through their local emergency management agency and approved by local law enforcement. Multiple agencies work together before these safety plans are submitted to the state by Oct. 1.

Troup County EMA Director says the collaboration between the school system and local law enforcement is at an “all time high.”

One of the things you noticed in the last couple of days is a message that was consistent across all social media platforms in Troup County. That was one of the most beneficial things getting one message out at the same time.

Zac Steele, Troup County EMA Director

Dr. Hazel urges parents and guardians to use SchoolStatus Connect, the school system’s new communication system. This is the first year TCSS is using this platform for all schools and departments. She says families will be able to receive emails and text messages from TCSS regarding emergency alerts, as well as communication directly from the schools and classrooms.

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